Montu Roller Coaster, Tampa

The Montu Roller Coaster, an adrenaline-pumping highlight of Tampa, Florida, stands as a thrilling testament to modern roller coaster engineering. Nestled within the adventurous realms of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, this coaster has been captivating the hearts of thrill-seekers since its debut in 1996.

Montu is not just any roller coaster; it is an inverted coaster, meaning that riders experience the exhilarating ride with their feet dangling freely below them, as opposed to the traditional coaster design where the track is beneath the train. This design creates an intense sensation of flight, further amplified by the coaster's Egyptian theme, named after the ancient Egyptian god of war.

As one of the tallest and longest inverted roller coasters in the world, Montu boasts a height of 150 feet (46 meters) and a track length of 3,983 feet (1,214 meters). The ride begins with a heart-stopping 60-degree drop before catapulting riders into a series of seven inversions, including a 104-foot vertical loop, an Immelmann loop, a zero-G roll, and intertwined corkscrews.

The ride's duration of about three minutes is packed with high-speed turns and swift, smooth inversions that reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour (105 kilometers per hour). Montu is also known for its intense G-forces, particularly in its signature batwing inversion, which simulates the sensation of a fighter jet's evasive maneuver.

For those looking to visit Montu, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located northeast of downtown Tampa, easily accessible by car or public transportation. The park offers a variety of attractions, including animal encounters and other roller coasters, making it a full-day destination for families and thrill enthusiasts alike.